Monday, February 22, 2010

Eric Clapton & Jeff Beck's Missed Opportunity

Since the shows were announced, I felt determined, but not quite comfortable about seeing Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton together. I knew three things--

1. I wouldn't be able to afford the ticket.

2. The fantasy set list consisting of Yardbirds material, mixed with the best each of these still dynamic guitarists has to offer would NOT be performed.

3. Jeff Beck would probably kill, while God would most certainly phone it in.

I've seen them both too many times to believe it would have been any different. Still I searched for a ticket, pulling the one-armed bandit in the guise of a fair and unbiased ticket seller named Ticketmaster, only to get offered seats not far from the Sbarros on 32nd and 7th, for a mere $179 per. (More than half of Madison Square Garden for that night, was being sold at $254 a ticket, the new norm.) I gave up...mostly because of the money, partly because I knew, once the shows were over, I'd have seen the set lists and will have been disappointed or thrilled, depending on how you looked at it.

I was right.

While it is probably wrong of me to criticize a show I did not see, I think it is pretty safe to say that even if Eric Clapton was on top of his game, (after listening to the show, I decided he was not,) there is no excuse for his sorry, lazy, and uninspired set list.

"I've Got A Rock & Roll Heart?" Really? This wasn't necessary before the phone commercial. As a matter of fact, his acoustic sets haven't been necessary since 1992's "MTV Unplugged" was released, and even then, that mortal sin known as "Acoustic Layla" was unforgiveable. This man can still play guitar, but I can't imagine anyone paying good money to see this man sit on a folding chair.

Jeff Beck's set, on the other hand, offered new material and a 30 piece orchestra. And yes, El Becko tends to play the same material, but it's the good material. Plus, if anyone has seen Jeff Beck lately, you will have witnessed a man on fire. Beck just gets better and better. He gives the fans what they want, something more artists should be doing these days, when concert tickets cost more than root canal. Here is what he played:Jeff Beck01. Eternity's Breath02. Stratus03. Led Boots04. Corpus Christi Carol05. Bass solo featuring Rhonda Smith06. Hammerhead 07. Mna Na Heireann08. Brush With The Blues09. Big Block10. A Day In The Life11. Nessun Dorma

I think I may have ranted myself into a corner. This may be personal. Ticket prices and the fact that in this economy, shows like this still prove to be a tough ticket at almost $600 a pair, even though Clapton seems to care less and less these days, just get my shorts all twisted.

Who is going to these shows? Is it all rich people? Do you think this audience expected that fantasy set list, or do you think they were happy to hear acoustic versions of "Running On Faith" and "Driftin'?"

1. I Ain't Got You2. Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad3. Badge4. Bell Bottom Blues5. Let It Rain6. Stormy Monday7. White Room8. Comin' Home9. The Core (I love "The Core")10.Layla (electric version please)ERIC & JEFFWell, I guess anything would be fine after those two killer sets I just mentioned.

Knowing these songs exist and that these two giants could have thought about it and played them, how can anyone be satisfied with how the actual ahows turned out, even at half the price?

14 comments:

richeye
said...

Spot on, Sal. The only reason for these shows to have happened - at that price - is to deliver on the fantasy of what could have been. This doesn't even come close. People like us still go (or want to) believing that Clapton will finally wake up and deliver. He was more exciting live when he was still a smack addict.

For Beck to open with his usual stuff, Clapton to pass off his usual and the two of them merely to scratch the surface is to deliver $54 of the $254 price. For this to be what it could have / should have been, both guys needed to do what must have been obvious to them right from the start. Give the people what they want! If that is distasteful, then don't do it at all.

Great set list Sal..i'd definitely go to any show you program!! ;-)Pricing is beyond reasonable..for me anyway. I always took comfort in going to New Orleans once, twice a year..even with the airfare I see more music, better music per dollar..especially at JazzFest time..As a lifelong NY'er, I do believe I will one day be priced out of my hometown. But thats ok, time to broaden the horizons...I heard three or four opinions of the shows..most we're negative, the positive was from a diehard Clapton fan...and he really like his Tone (?)

Clapton's tone? What can you say? Put aside the fact that he hasn't recorded anything remotely interesting in literally 30 years. That guitar tone is the sound of a man asleep in his easy chair. It's sanded-down Santana, with all the edge and bite removed.

Beck remains a real guitar hero, despite the fact that he shaves his armpits (what the hell?). His tone is all bite, and you get the sense that he's still fascinated by music and by his instrument, and he's still trying to grow. Awesome tone, and how does he keep that Strat in tune with all that whammy-bar abuse?

I don't even consider going to concerts any more. It's over - I can't afford it. But I knew when I saw that they were touring together that it would be less than the sum of its parts.

I saw Clapton during his drunken stooge period (late 70's) - he stumbled around the stage like a buffoon and let his 2nd guitarist solo as much, or more, than he did. That show only cost me $20, but I'm as pissed off today as I was then. Asshole.

I don't doubt that those in attendance had a great time. I am sure I would have if I had gotten in for free, or paid something reasonable. But sometimes, it's just a little too obvious that Clapton has nothing else to prove.

Even the biggest offenders of being "in it for a buck," the Rolling Stones, go deep into their catalogue, and rarely ONLY play dreck, which is what Eric seems to do more often than not.

Though, the Derek & The Dominoes sets he was playing when he toured with Derek Trucks on slide, seemed a bit more inspired.

why doesn't this surprise me?...why do you guys seem surprised?...do you want to know why these musicians (and you can include the stones and a whole lot of other acts, too) get out every so often to play huge venues for big money?........because they can!...and you (suckers, or specifically, suckers who can afford the price of a ticket) continue to go to these shows...and if you're not thoroughly disappointed, it's likely you're making excuses, 'cause you don't want to talk bad about your heroes...heroes, my ass...if these guys were playing for you (and the love for the music) they would be out there ALL THE TIME...at smaller venues (where you can watch the stage, not a giant screen)...and for a lot less bread--so that real fans who otherwise couldn't afford the ridiculous ticket prices might still get to see one of the shows.......but who am i kidding?...that ain't happening, because these acts are just in it to cash big checks...and you suckers still don't see it that way...ok, maybe i was fortunate...in the old days you could have seen everybody at the fillmore, max's kc, steve paul's scene...even murry the k's world for 5 bucks...but y'know what, i wouldn't pay 5 bucks to see some of these fat cats today!...i say go out, check out the smaller clubs (yeah, you might actually have to pay 10 or 20 dollars to see a show, today) and see some new music (it's really out there; you just gotta look (like the old days when the "discovery" was part of the fun)...the point is, let your old heroes go...(i say "to hell", if they're gonna play like they're doing you a favor)...anyway, it's just my opinion...steven

I was there on Thursday night. Grabbed a pair of cheapos (70 bucks) and too the kid. He's never seen either and loved. Great Clapton setlist, no. Was it good, yep. He's playing better now than those shows in the 70's that's for sure. Jeff Beck was amazing to see again. Playing together was a little less exciting as they just don't mesh well imho. Although Moon River was quite good and Clapton played very well on the blues tracks. I've seen EC a whole lot over the years and the last few tours have featured some of his better playing. The tour with Winwood especially. But that's just me.

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